2017 Field of Mars Shiraz B1

2019 Hunter Valley Semillon

Variety:     100% Semillon
Region:     Pokolbin, Hunter Valley
Vine Age:  Planted in 1968

Vineyard : Keith Tulloch Estate

Tasting Notes

This Semillon has classic fine aromatic signatures - ripe lemon with traces of perfumed lime, and pretty aromatic hints of white flower. On the palate, varietal lemon-zest flavours rule, showing stunning clarity and deliciously detailed elements - like kaffir lime in lemon juice - finishing with apple-crunch brightness and minerally length. As usual, this wine shows lithe texture and vibrant persistence, conferring wonderful pedigree and potential.

There is great drinking enjoyment now with opportunity for cellaring ahead. Beautiful harmony will begin to develop within 1-2 years, while 5 to 10 years will elevate this  youngster into a classic Hunter Semillon.

Drink: Now to 2029.
Food Match: Fresh oysters, and prawns.

Technical Data

Alcohol: 10.5%
pH: 2.96

FIELD OF MARS - Single Vineyard Range                            

Field of Mars Chardonnay Block 6 2017

Variety:   100% Chardonnay

Region:     Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

Vineyard:  Keith Tulloch Field of Mars Vineyard

Vine Age:  Vines planted in 1968

Tasting Note                                              

Close planted in 1968, this dry farmed Chardonnay vineyard is a rarity, particularly planted with ‘Busby clone P58’, recognised amongst the strongest Chardonnay clones. Our vines are grown in the deep alluvial powdery sands, on a tiny 0.25 hectare plot, producing incredibly intense fruit characters.

Colour: straw green with pastel yellow flecks.

Aroma: bold expressions of fully-ripe stone fruits, citrus and pineapple. Barrel fermented with wild yeast adds a soft aromatic wash of warm nougat and fine vanilla.

Palate: the Chardonnay signatures are focused, holding your attention with an unwavering juicy core of nectarine, golden pineapple, citrus and melon, matched equally with deluxe barrel, cashew like creaminess and fig-savouriness throughout. These flavours are complex, also showing elaborate highlights of struck-flint, gun-smoke and nougat; these notes adding beautiful flair as they build in the glass. The unity and focus of these elements is secured with a bright line of acidity, with a tangy freshness and great aging potential.

Cellaring potential: Keep it if you can, beyond 10 years.

157 dozen made

James Halliday 95 points, Huon Hooke 96 points                                                                                                       

Technical Data

Alcohol:  13.0%

pH:         3.22

TA:          6.8

FIELD OF MARS - Single Vineyard Range                            

Field of Mars Semillon Block 2a 2017

Variety:   100% Semillon

Region:    Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

Vineyard: Keith Tulloch Field of Mars Vineyard

Vine age: Vines planted in 1968

Tasting Note 

This tiny 0.25 hectare Block 2a vineyard planted in 1968, is a real treasure - year-on-year these Semillon vines produce exceptional varietal expression. The deep alluvial sand is key to preserving the grape's elegance and intensity, also enabling the juice to hold a natural core freshness, low pH and bright acidity.

Vintage: Summer weather was stable, hot and dry, with good soil moisture in the deep sands of this old silty riverbed. The tiny old-vine block was hand harvested slightly later than usual on 24th January.

Aromas are tightly wound and intense: Meyer-lemon and golden-apple, hints of fine green-herb, citrus-curd with zesty freshness.

The palate flavours are concentrated with tightly-coiled juiciness: green and yellow citrus flavours with classic zest intensity and bright energy, line and length lifted by delicious juicy acidity. A slightly chalky, minerally lip-smacking mix giving perfect youthful balance with potential for long term cellaring.

Drink: Now - 2036+

Limited Release - only 162 dozen made.

James Halliday 96 points, Huon Hooke 96 points
 

162 dozen made
       

Technical Data
Alcohol:   10.4%
pH             3.01
TA             6.6

The Family Collection

2018 The Kester Shiraz

Variety:     Shiraz (99%)  Viognier (1%)
Region:     Lower Hunter Valley

Tasting Notes

Showing all the hallmark signatures from a great Hunter Vintage, The Kester 2018 is a superb release. The colour of this wine is rich and deep, giving an indication of the power you will find in the glass - bright black and purple, with deep scarlet at the rim.

 The Shiraz fruit aromas are latent inky blackberry, immersed in deep perfumes of kirsch with lovely floral sweetness; following this is a lift of blueberry, and delicate Viognier hints of white bloom and jasmine. The classic old-vine elements chime in with grand flourish – aromas of juniper foremost, with hints of thyme, bay leaf, black olive, and espresso in reinforcement. The defining characteristics of this Kester are found on the palate - the wine’s lavish black fruit density and deep tannins are the heart of this complex expression of Hunter Valley terroir. Flavours are rich, concentrated, and intense, with powerful and inky black and blue fruits weaved in flawless union; delicious black cherry, boysenberry, dark chocolate, and liquorice-like characters unite, all bonding with satiny polish yet also a tongue staining flavour persistence. Superb tannin texture meshes fruit and French oak, entwined to delivering lasting momentum and flair. 

 Drink: With decanting you can enjoy this special wine on release, but it will also greatly reward cellaring for 20+ years.

James Halliday 95 points, Huon Hooke 94 points, The Wine front 94 points

Technical Data

Alcohol: 14.3%